Minimum Wage Report Puts Advocates in Bind

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Low-income advocate Pamela Atkinson is in a bind. During the last legislative session she pulled her support from an effort to raise the state minimum wage, in favor of conducting a study she hoped would show how badly the increase is needed in Utah. Now that report is out, and it shows a very small number of Utahns - mainly college-age men - work minimum wage jobs. Atkinson admits the data does not bolster any effort to boost the wage:

"Well, there were two variables that are present now that were not present a year ago," explains Atkinson. "One is the 2.5 percent unemployment rate."

Utah's strong economy has even fast food restaurants offering seven or eight dollars an hour for starting jobs.

The other factor, says Atkinson, is a promise from Democrats in Congress who say they will raise the federal minimum wage as soon as they take power in January. So instead of pushing for a minimum wage hike at the state level, Atkinson says she will call for a fund to help low-wage workers take a temporary leave to gain new skills.

"I want to make it possible for people to get the skills to earn a higher salary," says Atkinson. "I would love to see a fund to help people with their housing expenses whilst they got the necessary six to twelve weeks of training."

Atkinson adds that the Governor's working group on minimum wage was divided over whether to recommend raising the minimum wage to state lawmakers.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW